Buxus plant named ‘MonAlex’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Buxus  cultivar named ‘MonAlex’ is disclosed, characterized by a distinctive conical growth habit. Plants grow slowly, have bright green foliage and exhibit improved resistance to diseases of  Buxus . The new cultivar is a  Buxus , suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Buxus sempervirens.

Variety denomination: ‘MonAlex’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of chance discovery by the inventor. Thisnew variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘MonAlex’, was discovered as anaturally occurring, whole plant mutation by the inventor, MichaelFarrow. The interesting new mutation was discovered in a private gardenin Earleville, Md. among plants of unpatented Buxus sempervirens duringSummer of 2006.

After identifying the new variety as a potentially interestingselection, the inventor first organized propagation of ‘MonAlex’ byvegetative cuttings at a commercial nursery in Dayton, Oreg. October of2009. The inventor continued controlled testing and propagation,assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety. Atleast three generations have been reproduced and have shown that theunique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘MonAlex’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘MonAlex’ These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘MonAlex’ as a new and distinct Buxus cultivar:

-   -   1. Very slow growth.    -   2. Distinctive conical growth habit.    -   3. Higher resistance to disease.    -   4. Bright green foliage.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

‘MonAlex’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the parentvariety. Plants of the new cultivar ‘MonAlex’ however have a conicalgrowth habit not exhibited by the parent variety. Additionally, theparent variety does not exhibit the disease resistance found with‘MonAlex’.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘MonAlex’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to theunpatented commercial variety Buxus sempervirens ‘Vardar Valley’. Plantsof the new cultivar ‘MonAlex’ however have a conical growth habit notexhibited by this comparator. Additionally, the new variety has abrighter green foliage color

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘MonAlex’ grown outdoors in Dayton, Oreg. The plant isapproximately 2 years old, and is shown in a three gallon container,exhibiting typical conical growth. The plant photographed has not beenpruned and naturally grows as pictured.

The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘MonAlex’ plants grown outdoors in Dayton,Oreg. Plants are approximately 2 years old, in a 3 gallon nurserycontainer. Measurements and numerical values represent averages oftypical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Buxus sempervirens ‘MonAlex’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to rooting: About 10 to 14 days at 25° C. to 30° C.-   Time to produce a rooted young plant: About 45 to 60 days at 25° C.    to 30° C.-   Root description: Fibrous, very well branched. Colored near RHS    Brown 199B, 199C.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Conical, uniform appearance.-   Height: Approximately 50 cm. after 2 years.-   Plant spread: Approximately 35 cm at widest point.-   Typical growth rate: Slow for species.-   Branching characteristics: Very dense branches. No single central    stem. Approximately 20 central upright branches, each of these with    dense opposite branching occurring at an internode length between    1.5 to 3.5 cm. Lateral stems are held at an angle of approximately    15 degree from the central branch.-   Length of lateral branches: Average range 5 to 11 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.5 cm.-   Lateral branch shape in cross section: Generally round.-   Lateral branch strength: Very strong, not easily broken.-   Lateral branch color:    -   -   Young.—Near Green 143C.        -   Mature.—Near RHS Green 143 C covered in Grey-Brown 199C            scales.-   Lateral branch texture: Scaly and rough.-   Internode length: Average range 1.5 to 3.5 cm.-   Lenticels present: No.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Type.—Simple.        -   Shape of blade.—Obovate.        -   Average length.—Approximately 1.8 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 1.1 cm.        -   Apex.—Young foliage emarginate. Mature foliage mucronate.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.        -   Appearance of top surface.—Very glossy.        -   Appearance of bottom surface.—Very slightly glossy.        -   Leaf internode length.—Average 1.0 cm.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: A color between RHS Green            143A and 138A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144A. Mature foliage upper side: A bright green            color, closest description with RHS a color between            yellow-Green 144A and Green 137A. Mature foliage under side:            Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144A. Venation color under side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144B. Prominent mid vein color near            Yellow-Green 145C.        -   Durability of foliage to stresses.—Flexible and resistant to            breakage.        -   Fragrance.—Faint to no foliage scent.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Average 0.15 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.        -   Pubescence.—None, all surfaces glabrous.        -   Color.—Upper Surface near RHS Yellow-Green N144B. Lower            Surface Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A.

FLOWER

-   Flowering not observed.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease and pest resistance: Greater resistance to normal diseases    of Buxus has been observed. Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    pests has been observed.-   Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought.-   Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones 5-9.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Buxus plant named‘MonAlex’ as herein illustrated and described.